From the pictures above, decide which student you think is most likely to succeed long term in the dairy industry?

“Having the ability to judge a dairy cow is very valuable in the dairy industry. In addition, the student acquires conversational skills that enable him or her to better converse about issues relevant to the dairy industry.”
– Case DeVries, Pacific Elements LLC

“The person who understands that the future of a successful dairy means to look at dairying as a business will be the same person who understands the need for constantly staying abreast of new technology.”
– David Fischer, University of Illinois

“The other pictures are important, but Student 3 is reality, and you have to enjoy that part of the business.”
– Garth Searle, Land View Inc.

“How can you direct the day-to-day operations of your dairy if you haven’t done every job yourself? You can lead employees by example if they know you can and have done the things you expect them to do.”
– Rich Helzer, Fisher Pumps

“I learned more on my internships through college than I ever did in a classroom.”
– Clay Papoi, ABS Global

“A college education is about being a life-long learner, not just a subject matter.”
– Joanne Knapp, Owner/Consultant

“Kids who enjoy showing animals often stay with the industry in some form. I am a 4-H livestock-club adviser and continuously see kids staying in ag/animal science (including dairy) if they show animals.”
– Julie Groce, Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.

“It depends on what field of the dairy industry one enters. Student 1 would be successful in actual farm management. Student 2 would be successful in technology-based areas, such as nutrition, agronomy, engineering, etc. Student 3 would be successful in the technician field.”
– Michael Tiry, Tiry Engineering, Inc.

“Students today need to get the learning first and then find a way to get the experience. If today’s students get experience first, they usually have a hard time getting the education they need.”
– Joe Panter, ABS Global

“I feel they all can succeed, but one has to stay on top of what’s new and how the industry is changing, if he or she is going to be here in the future.”
– Tommy Barron, Southern States Cooperative

“You have to be smart to succeed and be able to analyze situations and resolve conflict. I believe that they need to incorporate all three of these pictures to be successful and use them to become better leaders.”
– Kevin Fennell, Walco International

“They all have equal chances. There are a lot of very different jobs that need to be done in the industry.”
– Matt Wood, Vita Plus Corporation

“The cow skills are great, but business studies are becoming increasingly important in educating potential industry leaders.”
– Brittany Bosma, Western United Environmental Services

“I would really like to say it would be a combination of Student 2 and Student 3 where implementing the knowledge learned in the classroom is put to use in an applied way!”
– Ray Nebel, Select Sires

“Give me a student that is a better-than- average student and I will be able to teach the practical on-farm skills.”
– William Wailes, Colorado State University

“Continuing education is very important in a changing industry.”
– Tessa Marshall, University of Missouri

“Number 2 is the foundation to all else. Education is the prerequisite to success in any industry.”
– Maury Cox, Kentucky Dairy Development Council

“The showring and books provide valuable education, but they are not complete without industry involvement and hands-on understanding.”
– Susan Orth, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW)

“Dairying is a business! Thinkers can hire doers!”
– TW Gene Boomer Kansas State University

“Show cattle don’t pay the bills on most dairies.”
– Brent Lahman First, National Bank of Omaha

“Giving these students hands-on experience prepares them for the reality of the dairy industry and makes them less likely to drop out.”
– Ken Schmidt, Larsen Co-op